TCA Commemorates 90th Anniversary of Turkish Republic Day

On October 29, TCA commemorated the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. It was on this same day that the Republic's founding father, Mustafa Kemal- who was later named Atatürk (father of Turks)- was unanimously elected as the first president of the Republic. Mustafa Kemal embarked on a wide-ranging set of reforms, which has led to the conversion of the newly founded Republic into today's modern, democratic and secular Turkish state.

TCA expresses sincere appreciation to the many friends of the Turkish-American community who delivered congratulatory messages marking this important milestone, including, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, Congressman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky, Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee and Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia (Co-Chairs of the Congressional Turkey Caucus), Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas (member of the Congressional Hispanic and Turkey Caucuses), Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana (member of the Congressional Black and Turkey Caucuses), and Congressman Bill Pascrell of New Jersey (member of the Turkey Caucus).

NCAI and NAIHC Commend Turkish Americans for their Outreach to Native Americans

On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) passed a resolution commending Turkey and Turkish Americans for continued efforts to further relations between Native nations and Turkey. The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) also saluted the efforts by Turkey and Turkish Americans in reaching out to Native Americans and expressed sincere appreciation for initiatives spearheaded by TCA in this regard.

On October 10, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Turkey Caucus, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina and Congressman Ed Whitfield of Kentucky hosted a lunch with the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSİAD) delegation entitled “Honoring U.S.-Turkey Business Ties and Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey”. After the lunch, the delegation met with Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner. During the meeting, organized by TCA, the Speaker congratulated the Turkish people on the occasion of the 90th Anniversary.

New Publication by Edward Erickson on Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Now Available

A new book, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, by Edward J. Erickson, Associate Professor of Military History at the Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University, has been released by Osprey Publishing. The book focuses on the leadership qualities and strategic foresight of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the Turkish National War of Liberation and established the modern Turkish Republic.

TCA Awards Study Abroad Scholarships to American Minority Students

In September and October, TCA awarded two Study Abroad scholarships to students of African American, Hispanic American and Native American heritage. Of these two students who received TCA scholarships and will study in Turkey one comes from San Francisco State University and the other from the University of Rochester. The total number of TCA Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships awarded to American minority students has now reached 313 since the program's inception in 2008.

Bicameral Turkey Caucus Reaches 144 Members

In October the Congressional Caucus on US-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans reached 144 members and now represents 42 of the 50 states and all six territories.

In July, the Turkey Caucus had expanded its membership to include for the first time members of the US Senate alongside members of the US House of Representatives. The Turkey Caucus, which is a bipartisan platform for Members of Congress to focus on US-Turkey relations and issues of concern to Turkish Americans is the third largest bicameral, ethnic/national caucus. Many of its members have joined the Caucus as a result of the efforts of their Turkish American constituents and friends of Turkey. To see the full list of members, please visit the TCA website.

AFOT Hosts 2nd Embassy Lecture Series on the Crimean War

On October 23, The American Friends of Turkey (AFOT) hosted the second lecture as part of its 2013-2014 Embassy Lecture Series. The lecture “1853: The Crimean War: Unnecessary, Tragic, Interesting” was delivered by Prof. David Goldfrank of Georgetown University. The series will continue to feature leading scholars on Turkey. All lectures will be held at the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC. For upcoming lecture topics and dates, please click here. AFOT is a multi-year recipient of TCA grants that support the organization’s institutional growth and speaker program.